Offers pick up for Mackey at Hargrave

Recruiting is heating up for Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy defensive end Leon Mackey. The 6-foot-5, 258-pounder is playing well for the Tigers and that's paying off with offers.

"The season is going pretty good," he said. "This past week we tied Bucknell and are now 3-2-1 on the season. I like the team here. There's a lot better competition and I think we have a lot of talent that hasn't really gotten noticed, guys like Quinton Coples, Jarrett Jones, Broderick Simpson, Josh Pleasant and more. It feels good to play around players like that. I feed off of them and they can feed off of me.

"I think I have had a pretty productive season. The coaches are pushing me to the limit. I'm not really sure on my statistics. I think I have about three or four sacks, but I feel I'm getting better every game. I'm working hard and it's more like a college practice. I'm playing downhill and have elevated my game with the competition around me. I just have to keep working hard and improving. I'm doing that both on the field and in the books. I'm hitting them hard."

Mackey wasn't clear on his offers, but has heard they have grown substantially since he's arrived in Chatham.

"From what I've been told by the coaches, I have about 30 offers," he said. "I've heard I got ones from Southern Cal, Florida, Virginia, Virginia Tech and more. Recruiting is a process and I'm focusing on my grades right now.

"I don't want to get distracted with it too much. Later on after the season, I'm going to sit down and talk to my coach and look at different programs, systems and more."

The three-star prospect has confirmed there are no leaders at this time.

"I'm open and taking a look at different systems. I'm getting a vibe from programs and I want to see where I can fit in," he said. "I'll be looking at the college, if they're winning, the relationship I have with the coaching staff, if I feel at home there and finally a place that'll use my abilities."